CNS Drug Design and Discovery

Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) account for ca. 30-35% of the total disease burden of the seven major pharmaceutical markets in the world. CNS disorders are separated into those involving psychiatry (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia) and neurology (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy). The most prevalent CNS indication is depression with an estimated 100 million afflicted worldwide, whereas the fastest growing indication is Alzheimer’s disease with 14 million patients currently diagnosed and increasing rapidly as a disease of the elderly. In the United States it is estimated that CNS disorders account for 15% of days lost to disability and 20% of the healthcare expense. Increased insight as to the functioning of the brain, neurotransmiter signaling, and non-invasive imaging improve our ability to design and discover new drugs for the CNS as well as offer tools for earlier and more accurate diagnosis. In addition to classic small-molecule therapeutics, biologics such as antibodies to the ?-amyloid peptides may prove useful. Advances in pharmacogenomics and the understanding of how the blood-brain barrier works also provide hope that additional safe and effective therapeutics will be discovered and developed in the future.